The Weinstein Co. paid $US12 million for worldwide rights excluding Australasia, where Transmission Films will distribute.

Brierley was five when he fell asleep on a train bound for Calcutta. Scared and alone, he was forced to live on the streets. He was adopted by an Australian couple and brought up in Tasmania wondering if he would ever see his Indian family again. Helped by his adopted parents and using Google Earth, he tracked down his mother and her family.

Patel, who broke through in Slumdog Millionaire, is on a hot streak with roles in John Madden's upcoming The Second Best Marigold Hotel; Daniel Espinosa's Soviet-era thriller Child 44 with Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace; The Road Within, Gren Wells' remake of German hit Vincent Wants to Sea; and Neill Blomkamp's robot action-thriller Chappie with Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver and Sharlto Copley.